Ch.153Double Front (3)

Southern Subjugation. The Papal State has drawn its sword.

“We shall punish the demons who dared to touch the Celestial Guide.”

After gathering for a council, the high clergy announced punishment for the Dark Order and purification of heretics. They showed strong determination to eliminate all beings that deviated from the order created by the God of Light.

“However, they have no army. All forces that could be used as Crusaders have been sent eastward.”

“Then there is only one force we can deploy.”

“The Hero.”

News spread that a warrior blessed by angels had begun an expedition to the south. Everything was going according to plan. Now that it was confirmed the Papal State couldn’t muster any more forces, all they needed to do was solidify the east while stirring up the south.

“Are there human leaders here as well?”

“Of course. There are cities that serve as breeding grounds for the Crusaders.”

The south was land where the Order had risen and fought for a long time. Around the borderlands, numerous settlements for recruitment had been established. While the east had many trading cities that accumulated wealth through commerce with elves, this place was like a cradle for raising warriors.

“It’s quite similar to the southern demon realm.”

“You must win them over.”

The path to Barcella Fortress was controlled by wyvern forces, making it difficult to approach easily. The Hero would surely try to conceal their movements, meaning they would pass through settlements to reach the border.

“If the Hero takes a major detour to enter the south, the Order could be directly hit.”

“So you suggest we gain collaborators to prevent this?”

“Yes. Unlike before when we only received nominal surrender, we will firmly imprint the Order’s mark this time.”

With those words, Verdia stepped slightly aside. Behind her stood a cunning knight of the Dark Order.

Durin’s red eyes stared at him.

“You are?”

“Cesario, Great Demon.”

“The title ‘Your Excellency’ is sufficient.”

“I’m grateful for your mercy, Your Excellency.”

The knight was about to bow deeply. Durin stopped him with a gesture. He detested humans’ peculiar formalities.

“Speak only what matters. I forbid empty ceremony.”

“My apologies. What I wish to present to Your Excellency here is a list of influential nobles in the south.”

A human registry. Frankly, from Durin’s perspective, it wasn’t a particularly useful card. In battles between divine beings, humans were no different from insects.

Though they spoke of tracking the Hero and gathering information, he could simply unleash his legion and subjugate everything.

Cesario needed to overcome this barrier and capture Durin’s interest.

“Since ancient times, the south has been known as the land of rebellion, so they’ve sent unparalleled commanders to strengthen its defenses.”

“Even if they’re called great commanders, aren’t they merely strong among humans?”

“Looking at individual strength, that’s certainly true. However, their core value lies in assisting the Hero.”

Forces that aid the strongest in the human realm. The nuance suggested they were more than simple helpers.

“Continue.”

“The Southern Crusaders focus on preventing the Order from extending its reach into the central continent through close coordination with the Hero, and eliminating underground missionaries.”

“Should I see the lack of significant chaos in the central regions despite the Order’s growing influence as an extension of this?”

“Exactly. It makes no sense that there’s no turmoil after a Great Demon descended and killed an Archangel. The Crusaders are suppressing it with their power.”

Durin understood Cesario’s intentions.

“So you aim to remove the last control mechanism left to humans.”

“We need to eliminate all the clergy who control people with strong faith and plant the Dark Order in their place.”

“Will humans accept us?”

“The south is a place overflowing with hardship due to crusades for generations. They will immediately accept anyone who offers salvation. The war refugees flooding into the Order are proof of this.”

Control through authority. It was a perfect remedy for managing legions, but insufficient when expanded to all people.

Despite Durin’s immense power, there were times when the demon realm was uncontrollable and approached division. That experience greatly helped him accept this opinion.

“Very well. Let’s say we collapse the south as you suggest, removing all the Papal State’s influence and blocking the Hero’s entry. Where would you make the next battlefield?”

Durin posed a question to him. Cesario’s eyes gleamed. The old knight didn’t miss his opportunity.

“They will inevitably come to Barcella Fortress.”

“Explain why.”

“The forest is connected to the World Tree, allowing news to be received at any time, and the remaining settlements will fall into heretical hands. That leaves only one path: the highway established by the first Pope.”

“You mean they will face us head-on?”

“The Hero is a symbol. Humanity’s symbol. If retreat is blocked, they will fight even at the cost of their life. Fleeing is not acceptable to them.”

This answer came without knowledge of the previous Demon Lord Lucretia. Escape was always an available option. However, having served her closer than anyone else, he could force a battle.

“Cesario, was it?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“I will grant you command over the knights here.”

Crack!

A spark erupted beside Durin. From that violent phenomenon, a sword emerged. Its slender form was a curved blade commonly used by demons in the demon realm.

Clang!

“Your top priority is the devastation of the south.”

The black sword fell before Cesario.

“Recruit human leaders who can be won over, and kill all who resist. Also, guide them to deeply worship and follow the Mother of Night in their hearts. This shall be your mission.”

The Great Demon’s red eyes looked down at the old knight.

“Do you accept?”

Careful hands received the sword.

“I dedicate this glory to the Mother.”

He bowed his head deeply in worship.

#

The series of battles on the southern front did not remain localized.

They spread into a major offensive.

The remaining Crusaders concentrated around Barcella Fortress, anticipating demons coming through the central highway. They intended to stop any invasion toward the Papal State.

“Burn the entire south!”

“Death is the only option for those who don’t submit!”

“Pledge your faith to the Mother of Night. Your oath is your only path to survival!”

The Order moved contrary to their expectations. Barcella Fortress was only used as a nest for strange aerial beasts. Instead, they invaded surrounding settlements, turning everything except the fortress area into a wasteland.

“People are resources!”

“Capture them all and bring them over!”

The knights would swarm a village, strip it bare, and flee back to the borderlands. Cavalry units tried to pursue them but couldn’t match their nimble movements.

They didn’t engage in battle. They deliberately provoked by thoroughly plundering resources. Their intention was crystal clear.

The Crusader leadership gnashed their teeth in anger.

“They’re using the south as hostage to draw us out.”

“They know we’re the only hope, so they’re trying to prevent us from uniting. We just need to hold our position.”

“Then who will save the people? Have you forgotten our mission?”

One holy knight berated the opposition.

“Protect them! Shield the weak from being taken by heretics. Isn’t that the knights’ duty?”

“Our duty is to work with the Hero to defeat the Great Demon.”

A calm tone answered the excited voice.

“The Hero will arrive soon through the highway. Until then, we must minimize casualties and prepare for battle against the Order.”

“What about the lives that must be sacrificed until then?”

“They are necessary sacrifices.”

“How can you say that so easily?!”

The argument intensified. Though one side was unilaterally angry, everyone in the tent could feel it. The intensity of the opposing opinions grew hotter.

They couldn’t find direction.

“That’s enough.”

What mediated this dispute was an overwhelming presence. A young knight sitting nobly among the excited holy knights. He was the key.

“Heaven commanded us to save humans.”

The knight addressed the fundamental point, soothing those who took up swords to save people.

“And also ordered us to assist the Hero in slaying evil.”

He also acknowledged those who patiently sought to eliminate demons.

“We shall do both. Cease this argument.”

Scrape.

With the sound of a chair being pushed back, the knight rose. He possessed divine power that seemed too great to be contained in a human body.

“I will buy as much time as possible until the Hero arrives.”

“Commander, it’s too dangerous.”

A patient knight offered advice. A knight advocating rescue was about to flare up again, but the commander raised his hand to stop him.

“This is something only I can do.”

No one could argue with those words. Silence fell over the room.

“I, who inherited the blood of angels, will endure the pain.”

His yellow eyes emitted light.

“I shall not hesitate now that I can finally fulfill my destiny to fight the Great Demon.”

The strongest holy knight in the human realm steeled his resolve.